Texans find a front-runner for coaching job

Houston is likely to get its own Coach K with Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak expected to replace Capers

Published 6:30 am, Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Another candidate might sneak into the Texans' interview process, but Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is still expected to be hired to replace Dom Capers.

Because Denver is in the playoffs, the Texans can't officially make Kubiak an offer until the Broncos' season is over. But it's no secret around the team's offices at Reliant Stadium that Kubiak is going to get the job.

Denver hosts the defending champion New England Patriots on Saturday. If the Broncos win, they'll advance to the AFC Championship Game at home or in Indianapolis, depending on the Colts' result against Pittsburgh.

Counting Kubiak, the Texans have interviewed seven candidates, including Fresno State coach Pat Hill on Monday. Because he's a college coach who is concerned with recruiting, Hill politely declined comment.

This week, assistants from the playoff teams that were eliminated — Tampa Bay, the New York Giants, Jacksonville and Cincinnati — became
available to be interviewed.

Behind the scenes, Texans officials are speaking highly of each candidate, but once Kubiak interviewed so well in Denver on Friday, he became the solid front-runner.

After he fired Capers and before the interviews began, Bob McNair was asked if wanted a coach who will be more animated on the sidelines than Capers.

"I don't think so," McNair said. "There are different personalities in the NFL. There are some of them who scream and holler and win. And there's some of them who don't say anything and win.

"I think that's just a reflection of their personality. It's not necessarily an ingredient for success."

If Kubiak, 44, is hired, he has to put together a staff. Then he will have to focus on the first pick in the draft: University of Texas quarterback Vince Young or Southern California running back Reggie Bush.

"The one thing we preach here in Denver is a team concept," Kubiak said Friday. "If we've got to run it to win, we're going to run it. If we've got to throw it, we're going to throw it. We get everybody involved. We're a very unselfish team."

One of the Broncos' trademarks on offense has been balance. They always rank near the top in run blocking. Their zone-blocking schemes are the NFL's best every season.

"We've got one Pro Bowl player (receiver Rod Smith) on our side of the ball this season," Kubiak said. "To be as successful as we've been and move the ball the way we've moved it just says a lot about our players.

"But you've got to be able to do it both ways. This game's not about credit. It's about competing and trying to win a championship. I'm very comfortable with that."